Craige and Erin

Mutual friends Paula and Darren, and Janet and Chris, played a big part in the meeting of Craige and Erin, when they all lived on the same street in Hope Island, Gold Coast. They met at a barbeque, and although there was a mutual attraction, the romance did not begin until sometime later. In 2009, whilst still living at the Gold Coast, Craige, Erin and Kirra welcomed the new addition of Charlie to their family.

Erin’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and Erin moved to Hervey Bay to nurse her. Craige and Charlie stayed at the Gold Coast as Erin went back and forth between the two cities before they joined her in Hervey Bay 6 to 12 months later.

After experiencing hip pain, Craige was diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer in September 2019. Time became shorter and shorter with the prognosis going from years to months to days.

A friend of the couple’s told them about My Wedding Wish and Melinda Scheltens, Senior Social Worker at Queensland Health submitted their details to My Wedding Wish. With time being of the essence, the Hervey Bay My Wedding Wish team, jumped into action and pulled together the wedding in 2 days. Each supplier went above and beyond, giving more than was asked and in record time.

Craige and Erin were married at the Hervey Bay Hospital Chapel on 22 January 2020, surrounded by family and friends, some of those making the trip from Hope Island where it all began, to share in the wedding at long last. The highlight of the day was Craige doing a fist pump when they were handed their Certificate of Marriage, which thrilled everyone. Sadly, Craige lost his battle 3 days later, surrounded by those same friends and family, all there for support.